Today your Southeast Asian adventure begins. You'll fly from Germany or Austria to Vietnam in economy class, usually overnight, landing in Hanoi the following day. If you'd like a relaxed journey to the departure airport, you can add a Rail&Fly ticket from Deutsche Bahn when you book your trip (106 euros, 2nd class). Use the time above the clouds to get in the mood for the next two weeks: vibrant metropolises, the limestone landscape of Halong Bay, the ancient imperial city of Hue, the Mekong Delta, and the magnificent Khmer temples of Angkor.

You'll arrive in Hanoi, the vibrant capital of Vietnam, situated on the Red River. You'll be personally greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where your tour guide or a welcome host will be there to help you settle in and provide information about the rest of your trip. Depending on your flight time, early check-in may be worthwhile, allowing you to access your room immediately and freshen up at your leisure (optional, from €65 per person in a double room or from €130 in a single room; please book in advance). The first day is intentionally flexible: If you arrive early, you can take an orientation walk around the hotel and through a local market in the morning to get a first impression of everyday life in the city. At lunch in a local restaurant, you'll be introduced to the first facet of Vietnamese cuisine with the traditional pho soup. In the afternoon the group is complete and together you discover the highlights of the city: You stroll through the old town with its narrow streets, visit Hoan Kiem Lake with the Ngoc Son Temple and see, among other things, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum from the outside. In the late afternoon, we head to Westlake. Over a refreshing drink, you'll get to know your fellow travelers and toast to the days ahead. (M)

After breakfast, you'll experience an authentic performance of the famous Vietnamese water puppet theater in a nearby village, an art form that originated in the flooded rice paddies of the Red River Delta. Back in the city, you'll explore other important sights of Hanoi, including the house of the revolutionary Ho Chi Minh (exterior view only), who is still highly revered in Vietnam, and the Temple of Literature, the country's first national academy. The journey then continues towards Halong Bay. Part of the way is covered comfortably by train, with rice paddies, small villages, and glimpses of everyday Vietnamese life passing by. (F)

Early in the morning, it's time to cast off: Aboard a ship, you'll glide through the legendary landscape of Halong Bay with its islands and rock formations rising up to 330 meters high. Since 1994, this area, with its more than 1,000 rocks, grottoes, and islands, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, the ship will anchor for visits to various caves (subject to change), and lunch will be served on board during the approximately four- to five-hour trip. There will be plenty of time to relax and take photos. In the afternoon you return to Halong, disembark, and travel to Hanoi Airport. From there, you fly to Da Nang in the evening and continue your journey to the charming old trading town of Hoi An, where you will stay for two nights. (B/L)

In the morning, you'll discover the diversity of the historic UNESCO World Heritage city of Hoi An on a city tour. At a lantern workshop, you'll gain insight into local craftsmanship and can create your own colorful lantern as a souvenir. Around midday, an excursion takes you to a herb-growing community outside the city, known for its organic farming. These communities are usually non-profit farming cooperatives: members receive land free of charge as long as they cultivate it organically. You'll learn a great deal about the local herbs, which also play a significant role in traditional medicine, help prepare a fresh lunch featuring local specialties, and then treat yourself to a relaxing herbal foot massage. The beach isn't far from here, so there's time for a short detour with a refreshing coconut at a beach café overlooking the sea. You can spend the evening as you please: explore the old town as countless lanterns illuminate the streets at dusk, sample the local cuisine, or simply relax at the hotel. (B/L)

You leave Hoi An heading towards Hue, stopping en route at the Marble Mountains. Here you'll visit natural grottoes where Buddhist shrines have been built over centuries. Afterwards, you'll travel through picturesque landscapes to reach the Hai Van Pass, the natural border between North and South Vietnam, offering sweeping views of the coast. During an extended break at the Lang Co Lagoon, you can stretch your legs on the beach and enjoy a lunch of fresh seafood. Upon arriving in the ancient imperial city of Hue, you'll take a short stroll on Hen Island and learn more about the lives of its inhabitants. To end the day, a romantic boat trip awaits you in the evening light on the Perfume River, the river of fragrant blossoms that float on its waters in spring. You'll enjoy the rolling countryside around Hue until you reach the Thien Mu Pagoda: this seven-story landmark of the city sits atop a small hill and is dedicated to the sky goddess. (F/M)

Today you'll delve into the glorious past of the Nguyen Dynasty. After breakfast, you'll visit the Citadel with its Imperial Palace, modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, you'll tour an old Mandarin House built in the traditional Hue style. During a short tea break with snacks, you'll have the opportunity to chat with your hosts and hear fascinating stories about Hue's culture and daily life. By the way, around 40 percent of all Vietnamese people still bear the surname Nguyen. In the afternoon, you can relax and soak up the city's atmosphere on a bicycle rickshaw ride. Afterwards, you can stroll through the Dong Ba Market and marvel at the variety of goods at the small stalls. The evening is yours to enjoy as you wish. (F)

In the morning, you'll visit the secluded Tu Hieu Pagoda, nestled in the forest, as well as the tombs of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. The latter is particularly fascinating, as it showcases an unusual blend of Vietnamese and French architecture. You'll find a nice spot and sample the local snacks you selected the previous day at the market with your tour guide. Then you'll go to the airport and fly to Saigon, the vibrant economic center of Vietnam. (F)

In the morning, you'll experience the awakening of the metropolis of Saigon and the ubiquitous swarms of mopeds and bicycle rickshaws. Worshippers pray in quiet courtyards, young people gather in noodle restaurants, and many locals exercise or stroll in one of the numerous parks. Between modern skyscrapers, colonial buildings, and traditional temples, you'll explore the city and see, among other things, the Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the City Hall, and the Opera House (each from the outside), as well as the old Post Office. In between, you'll take a break at one of your tour guide's favorite cafés and try a local coffee specialty. Whether it's egg coffee, Hanoi's specialty, the new trend of salted coffee, or the classic Vietnamese drip coffee with sweetened condensed milk: you'll definitely broaden your coffee horizons here. Next, we'll head to Chinatown to see the Binh Tay Market and the Thien Hau Chinese Temple. You'll also see the old St. Francisco Church and the so-called Medical Street before returning towards the city center. In the evening, you can enjoy a sundowner at a trendy rooftop bar and feel the vibrant energy of the city above the rooftops. (F)

Today you'll leave the city behind and immerse yourself in Vietnam's unique natural landscape as you travel to the vast Mekong River Delta. This region is also known as the Rice Bowl of Vietnam, producing millions of tons of rice annually. The flatlands you'll traverse are dotted with verdant rice paddies, and you'll gradually cross more and more bridges spanning the Mekong's various tributaries. In Ben Tre, you'll glide through the tropical garden of the delta on a boat trip, where many families live scattered throughout the area. The boat takes you to increasingly smaller waterways, and along the way, you'll transfer to a xe loi, a tuk-tuk-like vehicle, which will take you to local workshops, craft businesses, and orchards. Here, following ancient traditions, items such as sweet rice paper, coconut candies, woven mats, and bricks are still produced. For lunch, you'll be a guest at a family-run restaurant where a freshly cooked meal will be served. A variety of local delicacies will be offered as a family-style meal, allowing you to leisurely sample the traditional cuisine of the Delta inhabitants. You can end the day relaxing in your accommodation right on the river. (F/M)

The morning is yours: In your accommodation right on the river, you can enjoy the relaxed Mekong atmosphere one last time before slowly saying goodbye to Vietnam on your way back to Saigon. Next, you will be transferred to the airport and fly to Siem Reap, the gateway to the monumental Angkor temple complex (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Cambodia. You will stay here for three nights. (F)

After breakfast, you'll set off by tuk-tuk on your exploration of the fascinating Angkor temples, one of Southeast Asia's most important archaeological sites. The vast complex covers over 200 square kilometers and encompasses a multitude of different temples, including the famous Angkor Wat, dating from the first half of the 12th century. You'll visit, among other things, the South Gate of the royal city of Angkor Thom, with the smiling faces of the Bayon Temple. Over 200 faces, some several meters high, carved from stone, gaze in all directions. Afterwards, you'll reach the Ta Prohm temple, which lies seemingly untouched in the jungle, overgrown with roots and trees, and has even served as a backdrop for Hollywood productions. In the afternoon, the most famous Khmer temple, Angkor Wat, is on the agenda. Before returning to Siem Reap, you will visit another temple and participate in a Baci ceremony, where you will be showered with good wishes and prayers – a spiritual and very touching experience. After a relaxing break at the hotel, you'll stroll through Siem Reap's night market and sample the diverse street food. Enjoy a drink on the lively Pub Street to round off the day. Afterwards, your tour guide will accompany you back to the hotel, or you can stay a little longer. (F)

Your second day in Angkor begins at the Roluos temple complex. It is one of Angkor's earliest temples and likely dates back to the early 9th century. In the afternoon, you'll travel along a newly paved road through the village of Preah Dark and further into the countryside to the well-preserved Banteay Srei. This small temple, built of pink sandstone, is considered a jewel of Khmer art, with its intricate reliefs. Finally, you will visit the temples Banteay Samre and Pre Rup before relaxing on the last evening of your trip. (F)

Today it's time to say goodbye. At the appointed time, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home. If you opted for a beach extension, you'll continue your stay at the beach, and we wish you a relaxing time. (F)

You're landing back home today with lots of impressions in tow.